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While Spring is finally here, the rainy weather would tell you otherwise. I have some words for mother nature and they aren’t pretty.

The husband and I finally have a weekend to complete our front yard project and I don’t want to call a rain delay! Our front yard planter needs some TLC and major weed overhaul. We have neglected this area because we never could agree on what we’d like to plant. I really want lots of ground cover and some taller, flowering plants as well. I’d like a seat or bench, but that will be decided later. I do know this, no more garden gnomes! I am only allowed to have one and he’s in the back yard, maybe there is a clause for the front yard? I will have to see what I can seek in.

If we can all wish the rain away, that would be spectacular! I guess I am just so excited to share some before and after photos with you!

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I don’t cook (not to be confused with baking). But I was smart enough to marry someone who does. I might have starved by now otherwise.

Since I’m soooo pregnant (read: uncomfortable), tonight’s dinner was mama’s choice. Carne Asada Pizza it is! I am told this is not a cheap pizza, but it cooks up pretty quickly and tastes so fresh and yummy I just can’t resist it.

In the meantime, chop and cook 1/2 – 3/4 lbs. marinated carne asada (skirt steak). Cover a prepared pizza crust (we use Boboli) with cilantro pesto. Top that with 1 – 1 1/4 cup of mozzerella cheese (depending on the size of the crust you’re using). Bake per crust directions, a mere 8 minutes over here. Remove from oven, top with prepared meat and put back in oven for approximately 2 more minutes. Dollop with your favorite salsa and enjoy!

We put the salsa on the side so the kiddo’s don’t have to add it since they aren’t accustomed to the heat of dad’s famous salsa yet.

Maybe next time we should make two…and by we I mean he. I’m already wishing there were left overs for lunch tomorrow.

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So, as it turns out cookies don’t last very long in our house. The cookie jar is again empty. Since cake mix was on sale last week, I picked up a couple of Spring appropriate flavors: Lemon and Strawberry.

This morning I used the Strawberry cake mix to make what I’ll call Strawberry Shortcut Cookies. These couldn’t be easier.

Mix everything together until well blended. The dough will be super sticky. It was also a little wet. I had initially planned on rolling the dough with my hands and coating with powdered sugar, but found the dough was too wet and sticky to use my hands. My scooper came to the rescue. It also helps to keep the cookies the same size and to cook evenly as a result.

Once you scoop out a rounded portion of dough, drop it into a small bowl of powdered sugar and roll it around until coated. I used a spoon to push it around to avoid sticky fingers.

These bake at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes. Let them set a bit before moving them to a cooling rack. Yields approximatley 45 cookies.

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I realized awhile ago that I didn’t actually own a cookie jar. It seemed strange that someone who loves to bake so much wouldn’t own a staple as simple as a cookie jar. A kind friend pointed out that perhaps its because my cookies are so good that they don’t stick around long enough to make it to a jar. I’d love to say that was the case…

My Grandmother was generous enough to give me one recently. Its a glass jar with “Mother’s Cookies” imprinted on it. Classic.

So this rainy spring day, since we’re stuck inside I thought I’d do my best to fill my new jar…

These cookies are probably some of the simplest I’ve ever made…and the tastiest.

You’ll need:1 box of devil’s food cake mix (I used Pilsbury brand because it includes pudding in the mix)2 eggs1/3 cup vegetable oil1 bag of Rolos (you’ll need approximately 36, so feel free to taste test)

Mix everything but the Rolos. You’ll want to use a scooper for this one so that the cookies are the same size and cook consistently. Scoop some of dough and press a Rolo into the center. Gently fold the excess dough over the top and then roll it into a ball (like play dough). They bake quickly. My oven got the job done in about 8 minutes set at 350 degrees. Let them rest for a few minutes before transferring them to a cooling rack, or they will break.

Once cooled the centers will still be very moist and the caramel chewy and delicious!

My hubby, who isn’t as fond of the sweets as I am, loved these. Of course the kids couldn’t keep their hands off them either. And I may have had a few myself…

The weather is warming up, the flowers are in bloom and I am planning to spend a lot more time outside. I’ve dusted off the patio furniture and realized I was missing something…

On one of my many recent trips to the dollar store I found a hanging plant basket like the one I used here. I know that other retailers charge more than a dollar for them so I snagged it, figuring that I’d find some good use for it…

Following this St. Patrick’s Day party I found that the approximately 33 beaded necklaces that I, my hubby and my dearest Carrie had acquired throughout the night could be put to good use by creating a hanging, beaded chandelier. I cut each necklace and strung them in two stages: (1) from the top of the chain to the top of the basket, and then (2) from the top of the basket to the bottom of the basket. I used small pieces of floral wire to attach each piece. It was pretty simple and only cost me the $1 I spent on the hanging basket.

While the beads were green, it was more of a Mardi Gras green than the Kelly green I wanted, so I did spend another few dollars to spray the whole thing a modern Kelly green.

I’m very pregnant now and not feeling particularly pretty. But with the help of my gal pal Sally Hansen I don’t feel like a total mess.

I brought my manicure in season with Sally Hansen Salon Effects in “Spring Fever.” I love these because I don’t have to wait for polish to dry. I rarely get a few minutes to myself without having to do something for some little person with my hands, risking my polish job.

Once I had “Spring Fever” all over my nails I realized it was a little much for me. So I cut it with “Tart Deco” by Essie. Then I realized that my nails also happened to match my favorite shoes!